SenShot 2014 NHL Mock Draft Picks 26-30

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Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; A general view of the stage between picks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

So now that the Stanley Cup has been handed out, the final 5 picks are now solidified. Now, we end the 2014 version of SenShot’s NHL mock draft with the final 4 teams and a bonus pick that was once lost but found again.

#26 – Montreal Canadiens

May 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Montreal Canadiens reacts after loosing to the New York Rangers 1-0 in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Montreal Canadiens made a startling run to the conference finals, beating the powerful Boston Bruins in round 2 to solidify their run. A Carey Price injury might have been the only thing standing in their way of a Finals appearance, so the Habs proved themselves legitimate.

The biggest step standing in the way of the Habs is size up front. For that reason, the Canadiens need to draft 6’1″ winger Nikita Scherbak from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. Scherback is not going to swing the tide of size, because he is just 175 lbs at the moment. He was the top rookie in the WHL this past season and has a nice combination of skill and drive that will help the Habs down the road as their veterans get phased out.

#27 – Chicago Blackhawks

Jun 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) shakes hands with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene (2) after game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Blackhawks are in a “Stanley Cup or Bust” mentality, it was a disappointing end to the season. With a solid group in place going forward, the Blackhawks can take their time and be patient with the player they select.

The Hawks like size and skill up front and they will get both in Kitchener Rangers centre Ryan MacInnis. The son of Hall-of-Fame defenseman Al MacInnis wrapped up his rookie OHL season with 16 goals and 37 points, on a bad Kitchener team.

He is a long way off, but has the pedigree and could easily develop into a top 6 NHL forward that could fit in behind Jonathan Toews in the future.

#28 – Tampa Bay Lightning

Dec 12, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) and the bench react after Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) scores a goal during the shoot out against the Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a shoot out, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Lighting earned this pick in the Ryan Callahan-Martin St. Louis deal, and it turned out to work in the Rangers favor, because it helped them get to the final. And the Lightning get the 28th pick.

The Lightning should select solid puck-moving defenseman Anthony Deangelo from the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. He is a gritty, although smallish, defenseman who recorded 15 goals and 71 points in 51 OHL games this season, on a last place team.

#29 – Los Angeles Kings

Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings players celebrate after defeating the New York Rangers in game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings will have a target on their backs as they carry the mantle of Champs around their necks.

While the centre position is the core of their success, they are not deep in the system in that position and the potential loss of Mike Richards will weaken them slightly. The Kings can afford to draft for need at this point, and the re-stocking the middle might be their priority.

At this point there is one guy that stands out and fits in the mold of what has made the Kings a success in the past three years. Connor Bleackley of the Red Deer Rebels is a two way centre who excels in the defensive zone. He is also coached by Brett Sutter, brother of Kings coach Darryl, so you know he is learning the style of game the Kings need.

Bleackley will be a nice fit for the Kings who can play any role they need him to fill.

#30 – New Jersey Devils

Apr 1, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Peter DeBoer watches play from behind the bench against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Devils originally lost this pick in the Ilya Kovalchuk salary cap circumvention controversy, but this winter were re-awarded the pick with the punishment being it was the last pick of the first round.

New Jersey in in dire straits up front, with an aging group that can’t play forever (even if they seem ageless). Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, Dainius Zubrus and Michael Ryder are all on the down side of their career and over 35. There isn’t much offensive potential in the pipeline.

The Devils should select versatile forward Nick Schmalz from the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. He is headed for the University of North Dakota, where he will play for an elite NCAA program and will likely get a chance to play for the US at the World Juniors.

He has great puck skill and agility and is a good skater, who can make up for some of the exodus of talent that will be happening in New Jersey in the near future.

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Nathan MacKinnon (left) is greeted by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being introduced as the number one overall pick to the Colorado Avalanche during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

So that caps our Mock Draft. As I stated before embarking on the effort, this is not a prediction of what will happen, but what I think should happen. There is no doubt that it will not go down as I have illustrated, but it is an interesting task and a fun exercise.